Duncan and Miller

The first Duncan glassware was produced by George Duncan & Sons in 1865. The company had its beginnings when George Duncan bought the Ripley and Company plant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Early production was primarily barware and other utilitarian glassware. In 1891, George Duncan & Sons joined the United States Glass Company trust. However, this relationship was shortlived as the association was dissolved after the Duncan plant was destroyed by fire in 1892. In 1893, a new company began operations in Washington, Pennsylvania. A few years later a partnership was formed with long-time employee and designer J. Ernest Miller. This new Duncan & Miller company produced much of the fine hand-made glassware that is familiar to today's collectors. Especially popular are several patterns produced from the 1920's through the 1940's. Some of the more popular pressed patterns include Canterbury, Caribbean, Hobnail, Nautical, Sandwich, Spiral Flutes and Teardrop. Swan figures were also an important part of the Duncan line. First Love, Language of Flowers and Passion Flower are among the more notable etchings. The plant closed abruptly in 1956. Some of the molds were sent to the The United States Glass Company plant in Tiffin, Ohio. A number of the former Duncan workers also found employment there. Duncan style glassware was produced at Tiffin in a Duncan & Miller division of the company until 1980.

Information for this brief history was taken from the book "The Encyclopedia of Duncan Glass" by Gail Krause. This is a great source of informantion for any Duncan Collector.

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